Bath magistrates wish defendant luck in turning his life around

A 38-year-old man has been given a community order by Bath magistrates after admitting a series of shoplifting offences.

Mark Boyle carried out five thefts from Tesco Express on Wellsway in March and April. He also stole from the One Stop convenience store in Rosewell Court in Bath in January.

Boyle, who has a drug problem, recently spent a short time in prison for similar offending.

The Probation Service had been asked to prepare a pre-sentence report and Boyle, who is currently homeless, was sentenced on Wednesday 22nd July.

The court heard he has been making efforts to turn his life around and has been getting help from the organisation Turning Point. He has been clean of heroin for three months.

His 12-month community order includes a drug rehabilitation requirement and mental health treatment requirement.

Boyle was ordered to pay compensation of £168 to Tesco. The magistrates made no order for prosecution costs or surcharge however due to his financial situation.

Chair of the bench Mark Pilgrim told Boyle there was lots of help available to him and wished him the “best of British”.